(Elizabeth) Edwards: I'm More Joyful Than Clinton

[Placebo]

Elizabeth Edwards, wife of White House hopeful John Edwards, says her choices in life have made her happier than Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a possible Edwards' rival for the Democratic nomination.

"She and I are from the same generation. We both went to law school and married other lawyers, but after that we made other choices. I think my choices have made me happier. I think I'm more joyful than she is," Elizabeth Edwards said Thursday.

Speaking at a luncheon sponsored by the Ladies Home Journal, Edwards said she didn't know the New York senator very well but expects Clinton will be "a formidable opponent" for her husband, the Democrats' 2004 vice presidential nominee.

Edwards, who is promoting her memoir "Saving Graces," recalled when Clinton surprised her by showing up for dinner at the Edwards' home.

More...

[Divine Discontent]

1. I'm joyful he's running

I'd like a Clark/Edwards ticket, but supposedly the Clark people think Edwards is a typical oily poli, from what I've read.

[TroglodyteScholar]

5. I really like John Edwards, but...

...he DOES emanate "slick lawyer politician" with his mannerisms and speaking style.

[Divine Discontent]

50. true...

and even though I really like him and what he's devoted himself to focusing on (poverty), he botched up that question in the debates about not saying Kerry's name, SEVERAL times, I thought, Oh goodness, he looks like BUSH. lol... only temporarily, but it was as if an adult was debating a kid, even though they're only 15 years apart or so.


www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable <<-- antibush prodem stickers/shirts

[katinmn]

52. Elizabeth already apologized to Hillary for the article .

As many suggested and as E explained, the quotes were taken out of context, answers from different questions were combined into new sentences. Same old crap designed to look like a problem when there isn't one.

http://www.comcast.net/news/index.jsp?cat=GENERAL&fn=/2006/10/20/503655.html&cvqh=itn_clinton

[aquart]

2. But I don't care if she's joyful.

Elizabeth just said the equivalent of she prefers to bake cookies.

And I do not like it.

[SquireJons]

15. I'm with you, but...

She has every right to make her choices, and there's nothing wrong with staying at home and supporting her husband. But like religion, sex and certain activities in the bathroom, she should keep those personal decisions to herself. They have no barring on anything other than her happiness. Certainly, Hillary Clinton should not be criticized for trying to make a difference with her choices in life.

I just don't like Hillary.

[aquart]

21. Me, either.

But it has nothing to do with damned "joyfulness."

[SquireJons]

29. I guess her 'tonic' must have kicked in. n/t

[Name removed]

55. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Ms. Toad]

66. Would you say the same

if Edwards were discussing her "personal decision" to work as an an attorney (had she made that alternative choice for her vocation)?

<<She has every right to make her choices, and there's nothing wrong with staying at home and supporting her husband. But like religion, sex and certain activities in the bathroom, she should keep those personal decisions to herself.>>

If the choice to be a stay at home wife/parent is something "dirty" that should not be discussed, then the alternative choices should be as well.

I chose to stay at home, support my spouse, and parent our small child for the first five years of her life. At different times I have chosen to participate in the work force - in both very historically female jobs and and currently very male jobs (the ratio is still around 1 in 10 in my current job). Some of those personal decisions have helped me make the world a better place - some have just paid the bills. The decision to be a stay at home mom falls in the former category - being at least partly responsible for creating a happy, well adjusted teenager who is aware of and cares about the world around her, and who will be an asset to society in whatever role she decides to play. I do not consider any of those personal decisions, especially the decision to be a stay at home mom, decisions that I should keep to myself.

[Book Lover]

3. What a rude and hurtful thing to say!

[Demeter]

43. I Agree. Faux Pas, or Something More Sinister?

[onenote]

4. meow.

Not sure why she went there.

[Placebo]

6. *meow* *HISS*

indeed

:scared:

:popcorn:

[ronnykmarshall]

19. Read the rest of the article

I think a lot of this is being taken out of context.

[bling bling]

47. How is it being taken out of context?

This article doesn't sound right at all. The Elizabeth Edwards I remember from 2004 was smooth and intelligent and a joy to listen to. That quote doesn't sound like something she would say at all.

The first thought I had was "pfft, this is being taken out of context....as usual." But when I went to the article it looked she there was a direct quote to the effect of her being more happy than Clinton.

Please clarify for me how you think it was taken out of context. With the track record the media has (including the AP) of quoting out of context, I'm definitely going to give E.E. the benefit of the doubt for now.

[bling bling]

48. Nevermind. I just read down to post #7.

MADems response about this article already confirmed in my mind that this was a typical bullshit article spun for us by the AP. Not that I had much doubt about it in the first place.

[TroglodyteScholar]

8. Appealing to moderates...

...who might believe that a wife shouldn't be in the spotlight.

[onenote]

11. it did have a mildly sexist tint to it imo

whether or not that's what she intended, that's how it came across.

[MADem]

7. What a fucking headline--they may have well titled it "Catfight, oooh!"

If you read the whole piece, which was constructed soley to falsely pit the two women against each other in the minds of the readers, the bulk of the commentary with regard to Senator Clinton is very complimentary. But instead they take one single remark, which might well be entirely out of context, and make it the FOCUS of the piece and the headline grabber.

Fuck the media. Especially THAT news outlet. That's horseshit 'reportage' and unfair to both women.

IMO.

[tblue]

20. Sounds to me like it was taken out of context, too. EE impresses me as a

very thoughtful person. I don't give much credence to one sentence taken out of context. I do like John Edwards. He is the #1 best orator in America today. He can arouse a crowd with passion and eloquence, I've seen him. He is uncommonly good. If he wanted to, he could be the next Bobby Kennedy, but he'd have to forget about the media and take it to the people, speak at colleges and more impromptu settings. Then I think we would see the kind of movement we've all been waiting for.

[MADem]

22. Yeah, like "I'm more joyful in my home life, but she's probably more

joyful at work, since I still have kids at home..." or something like that.

It smells to me like a sugar-coated, catfight, catshit hit piece. A craven "divide and conquer" attempt.

And my sense of smell is pretty good...

[tblue]

26. I'll tell you one thing: I bet she's more joyful than Laura!

[MADem]

28. I'll bet Mark Foley, this very minute, is more joyful than poor Laura

so that's probably not saying much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tblue]

41. You wouldn't be happy either if this was your man

[xultar]

9. She can't know that. Bad move Elizabeth.

[MADem]

23. I think they fucked with the context, see my comments upthread

This doesn't square with the intelligence or media savvy of the woman at all.

[Pastiche423]

44. I read the entire article

Where did they fuck w/the context?

I've always wondered why they had their last two children so late in life. Trying for the Kennedy appeal?

[bling bling]

49. I think it was to bring joy back into their life after their son died.

Her 16 year old son died in a car accident and E.E. went through terrible depression. I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure the younger children came a few years after their son died.

It would be easy enough to look up and verify, I'm just feeling lazy. Sorry if this isn't correct info.

[MADem]

58. EE SAID they fucked with the context, and also called the Senator to

apologize for any misunderstanding. All you have to do is read the quotes and they don't come across like any thinking human would actually say them in that manner without any context, justification or embellishment. She's essentially saying she had an easier deal than Hillary. LHJ, which is a GOP/Stepford rag, begs to differ:

See this article http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/21/ap/politics/mainD8KSOL000.shtml

Before the apology, she released a statement Friday evening disputing reports about the event.

"Unfortunately, large portions of the material released by (Ladies' Home Journal) as quoted statements by me were erroneous and nearly all the statements, either because of significant omissions, or editing, or error, give a misimpression about what I said," Edwards said. "This is particularly true with respect to my comments about Sen. Clinton, who holds a serious and demanding public office while I am largely home, joyfully I must admit, with two lovely children."

Edwards also said she has "great respect" for the senator.

Asked for specific examples of errors, a spokeswoman for Edwards' One America Committee said the magazine's transcript combined answers to two questions into one quote. Also, her comments about being joyous referred to previous experiences and were not meant to be a contemporary comparison, said the spokeswoman, Kim Rubey.

Later, Rubey said Edwards called Clinton "to explain that her words had been taken out of context and to express her regret for the misunderstanding."

Ladies' Home Journal, which provided a transcript, said the quotes were accurate....

They had the kids late in life because they were looking to replace their dead only son, Wade. The first try was another daughter, the second, a son. I'm guessing it was one of those old fashioned "carry on the family name" things that some people get hung up on, and she was likely wanting to help the healing process, please her husband, and so forth. The reason she probably got breast cancer was because she was pumped full of hormones at her decided middle age to manage those pregnancies.

It wasn't Kennedy appeal at all...and ironically, Jackie O didn't have that Fitgerald womb--she couldn't spit them out like Rose. She had trouble carrying the two that made it to term.

[tabasco]

62. Attempting to smear the Edwards with no basis.

"I've always wondered why they had their last two children so late in life. Trying for the Kennedy appeal?"

So they had kids for political purposes?

That is a stupid statement.

[bloom]

10. I wonder if this was in response to a question

like a leading question - like "how do you see yourself as different from Hillary Clinton?"

E.E. does not strike me as someone who goes out of her way to make such comparisons.

It doesn't come off well. That may have been the intent of the questioner.

[Pirate Smile]

12. Why would she say this? I don't get it and i don't really like it either.

[DoYouEverWonder]

13. People choose different paths in life

One isn't necessarily any better or worse then the other.

If whatever you do fulfills you, should be what's important. I think both women have led very fulfilling lives.

[Captain Hilts]

14. What's this got to do with the price of cheese or important politics? nt

[Placebo]

16. EVERYTHING.

E V E R Y T H I N G .

[ChiciB1]

17. She Probably IS More Joyful... But How Stupid Is This Article???

Let's put another spin on this! I'm really BIG for Edwards not only because I have respect for him, I find Elizabeth to be so down to earth and GENUINE! Somewhere out there scuttle-butt must be rising or else this wouldn't even be on the radar screen.

Why don't we just take it for what it is and consider that this issue must be "blocking" someone's agenda, therefore if it's the Repukes, they think Elizabeth is a threat too!

If it comes from DLC, then THEY must be worried about something! I for one see it as more "interest" for Edwards and find that he must be rising on the Presidential stage! These things don't happen in a vacuum now do they???

[MADem]

27. How stupid are all of us for putting any credence into it? I mean, really

The article says NOTHING. It's BUILT around that comment, which stands awkwardly out there on its own, unchained by any CONTEXT whatsoever (was it home life EE was talking about, as she has kids at home, and Chelsea is grown up and gone off, for example?) and horribly contrived to seem nasty.

I think the most interesting bit in the piece was the salmon and cabbage, myself.

They can take their catfight journalism and stick it up their asses.

[katinmn]

18. Oops!

I love Elizabeth but she stuck her foot in her mouth.

This comment begs a lot of followup questions.

[Sewsojm]

24. More BS

Sounds like a Repug trying to stir up some **** to me, EE is a classy lady!!

[Stand and Fight]

25. Good grief, people...

Did all of the whiners in this thread happen to read the article thoroughly? Obviously her words were taken out of context... People here love someone one day and then the next. Get a grip -- Elizabeth Edwards is a good person, and she is simply saying that she made a different CHOICE than Hillary. No offense should be taken. Lighten up.

[MADem]

30. Offense SHOULD be taken though--at the asshole headline writer and the

drafter of this piece of shit in the first place. This isn't accidental journalism. This is "seeding the ground" and it's craven. And it has NOTHING to do with either HRC or EE by themselves. It's GOP slash and burn, starting early....

[Stand and Fight]

37. I completely agree with that point.

Is there a way by which to organize a letter writing campaign to them to correct this "error"?

[MADem]

38. I think they stink of wingnut, better to just ignore their fetid asses! NT

[benny05]

59. That's what I think

It's repuke crap.

[NOLADEM]

31. What a weird thing to say

Strange, strange thing to say.

I really hate when Dems get down on another Dem's personality or private behavior.

Mrs. Clinton is no favorite of mine, but insulting her in this way is silly, divisive, and only helps Repubes.

Mrs. Edwards has poor political instincts. (Oooh, it feels good to jab)

[Placebo]

33. She's so full of joy...

no political jab could get her down!

...

I guess. :shrug:

[Divine Discontent]

51. but was it planned?

to appease mods as some say? perhaps. but I take her at her word, I saw her on Tweety or something the other day, and she was too cautious in answering, I don't like that. If she were a poli they'd say she wasn't being honest with her answers.

[rodeodance]

32. as much as I like Eliz-i really think it is up to the person herself to

make that assessment.

[rodeodance]

34. and this certainly does not deserve a headline-much less even

discussion.

[Crunchy Frog]

35. I have no idea how happy or joyful either Elizabeth or Hillary are...

and I would never dare to presume to make that kind of judgement about another human being. I don't see how Elizabeth can presume to know those things about Hillary, unless Hillary spilled her guts out to her. If that were the case, I would think it a horrible violation of her confidentiality.

[Leilani]

36. It must be all those Wendy' s meals

that are making her so joyful.


:crazy:

[Cameron27]

46. Now that just plain funny

You made me laugh (always appreciated):rofl:

[zonkers]

39. WTF? I'm more Joyful? What a lame stupid this to say. Is there any

candidate or candidate's spouse that doesn't rankle me?! Yeah.... there is. Wes and Gertie.

[progressivebydesign]

40. How can some judge someone else's "joy"? I like Elizabeth, but... n/t

[cally]

42. Agreed...lost me on this one

[SaveElmer]

45. Yeah I admire Elizabeth Edwards...but

How the hell does she know whether she is more "joyful" person that Hillary Clinton or not. She admits she does not know Hillary well...

Kind of a weird, and faintly rude thing to say if you ask me!

[ShortnFiery]

53. I agree with you, but our voices are often silenced. :( n/t

[benny05]

60. It's taken all out of context

I would ignore this article. Obviously, the writer is trying to pit the Edwards and the Clintons since they are the front runners in most polls at present. Stupidity.

[Haole Girl]

54. I'll say this again...

I've had my words twisted and taken completely out of context by the media. Until it happens to you it's difficult to believe...but it happens. It really does. I know Elizabeth Edwards well enough to know she wouldn't judge a woman for her choices in life and would never put someone down who is as accomplished as Hillary Clinton.

Don't let this petty b.s., which just so happens to coincide with mid-term elections, get you down Elizabeth!! They are just jealous of both you and Hillary. :hug: :hug:

[bleedingheart]

63. my sister is an elected official and she has had the same thing happen

the media will twist your words...

[Catherine Vincent]

56. Wow! Didn't get a chance to see the deleted posts in the other thread.

Was it that bad?

[Haole Girl]

57. Personal attacks against Elizabeth, like post #29. eom

[benny05]

61. You will note it is on a blog and not a news person

It's all crap. Elizabeth would not say these things in this sort of context. If you watched Hardball earlier in the week, you see Tweety asking her crap too and she knows to be truthful but tactful at the same time.

[Catchawave]

64. How many threads are needed for this topic?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2896073

And, is this really Late Breaking News? From a blog?

:grr:

[citizen snips]

65. what's the big deal?

I can't belevie this topic is up for discussion.

[fortyfeetunder]

67. The comparison was uncalled for

Now that I read the article, shame on the magazine for perpetuating the insidious side of some women -- focusing on comparison=> competition.

Elizabeth was not in competition with Hillary, so what was the purpose for the comparison, and the perception of "Happiness" over choices?

There was no reason for the comparison. Ever.

[MODemocrat]

68. Elizabeth seemed to be bragging

A trait I don't care for in anyone. No one knows how another person feels. Stop it Elizabeth and please don't embarrass yourself. I used to love you a lot, when you were humble.

:blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: